The Power of Language
Laurie MacDougall discusses the dramatic impact that language has on our discussions of Substance Use Disorder. Let's work together to reduce stigma, …
Allies in Recovery
I Wish I Could Hire Someone to Help Her Handle Life
Early recovery can feel as shaky and chaotic as life before recovery as a loved one struggles to keep up with everything, from drug testing and appoin…
Benzos, Recovery, And my Own Experience
Our Allies member has mixed feelings about the klonopin her son is taking. His psychiatrist however is not concerned as long as it's being taken as pr…
She’s Back Home With a Daybed and Locker
Her daughter is back at home after violating probation and a few months of active use. It's a shock to see her daughter in this state again. But she i…
Rewards For Today or Consequences For Yesterday
She's thankful her loved one is no longer using, but his finances are a mess. Should she allow natural consequences for his past use even if it means …
Drug Testing at Home?
Guest blogger, Laurie MacDougall responds to a member explaining what she and her husband did when they let their son move back home to work on his re…
Bribes, Incentives, and Positive Reinforcements – Part 2
In this follow-up to her post on incentives, bribes and reinforcing, Laurie MacDougall shares her "One and Done" approach. Read on for a practical and…
Bribes, Incentives and Positive Reinforcement
A family member writes in wondering about rewarding her loved one for attending a few recovery group meetings. Guest author and recovery enthusiast La…
Showing a Loved One the Door
Our member is facing a big transition. It looks like her loved one will be asked to leave the house in a few weeks. Read on about a sound approach for…
Working on my Own Recovery
She is facing some hard truths as she looks back on the past ten years of her husband's addiction. He is finally sober, but he has yet to acknowledge …